Solar Energy Potential in Itahari, Koshi, Nepal

Itahari, Koshi, Nepal, located at latitude 26.6661 and longitude 87.2878 in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a promising environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's seasonal solar output varies, providing different levels of electricity production across the four meteorological seasons. Spring emerges as the most productive season, with an impressive daily output of 5.62 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. This is followed by autumn, which yields 4.60 kWh/day, and summer, producing 4.44 kWh/day. Winter sees a slight dip in production, generating 3.79 kWh/day, but still maintains a respectable output. For those considering a fixed panel installation in Itahari, Koshi, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 25 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Seasonal Considerations

While Itahari demonstrates good potential for solar energy production throughout the year, there are some seasonal factors to consider. The spring months offer the highest energy yield, making it an excellent time for peak production. Autumn and summer also provide strong outputs, suggesting that the majority of the year is favorable for solar energy generation. The winter months, although showing a lower output compared to other seasons, still contribute significantly to the overall annual production. This indicates that Itahari's location supports consistent solar energy generation, with only moderate fluctuations across seasons.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Despite the generally favorable conditions, there are some environmental and weather factors that could potentially impact solar production in Itahari: 1. Monsoon season: Nepal experiences a monsoon season from June to September, which could lead to increased cloud cover and rainfall, potentially reducing solar output during these months. 2. Air pollution: Like many developing urban areas, Itahari may experience air pollution, which can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching solar panels. To mitigate these factors, several preventative measures can be taken during solar installation:

• Use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels that can withstand heavy rainfall and humidity.
• Install a robust cleaning system or schedule regular cleaning to remove dust and pollutants from panel surfaces.
• Consider incorporating a solar tracking system to maximize energy capture during periods of reduced sunlight.
• Implement a microinverter or power optimizer system to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.

By taking these precautions, solar installations in Itahari can maximize their energy production potential, making the most of the location's generally favorable conditions for solar PV generation.

Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° latitude.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 40 locations across Nepal. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Nepal by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Itahari

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 26.6661, Longitude: 87.2878 (Itahari, Nepal), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:

 

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 25° South in Itahari, Nepal

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Itahari, Nepal (Lat/Long 26.6661, 87.2878) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 25° South for fixed panel installations.

As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.

We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Itahari, Nepal

If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Itahari, Nepal. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 25° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
10° South in Summer	32° South in Autumn	42° South in Winter	21° South in Spring

Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.

This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.

Calculate solar panel row spacing in Itahari, Nepal

We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Itahari, Nepal.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. Minimum Spacing:
   We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.

This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.

Topography for solar PV around Itahari, Nepal

Itahari, located in eastern Nepal, is situated in a region characterized by diverse topography. The city itself lies in the southern part of the Terai region, which is a flat, low-lying plain that stretches across the southern border of Nepal. As you move north from Itahari, the landscape gradually transitions into the Siwalik Hills, also known as the Churia Range. These hills form the first elevated terrain encountered when moving from the Terai towards the Himalayas. The area immediately surrounding Itahari is predominantly flat, with rich alluvial soil deposited by rivers flowing down from the mountains. This flat terrain is interspersed with small hills and gentle undulations. The Koshi River, one of Nepal's major waterways, flows to the east of Itahari, creating a fertile floodplain. As you move further north, the terrain becomes more rugged and elevated. The Siwalik Hills rise to heights of around 700 to 1,500 meters above sea level. These hills are characterized by steep slopes, narrow ridges, and deep valleys. The landscape in this area is prone to erosion due to the soft, easily erodible rocks that make up the hills.

Suitable Areas for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Itahari for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the flat Terai region to the south and southeast of the city offers the most promising locations. This area benefits from several factors that make it suitable for solar energy production: Firstly, the flat terrain of the Terai provides ample open spaces that receive consistent sunlight throughout the day. The lack of significant geographical obstructions means that solar panels can be easily installed and oriented for optimal sun exposure. Secondly, the region experiences a subtropical climate with long periods of clear skies, especially during the dry season. This abundance of sunlight is crucial for maximizing solar energy generation. Additionally, the proximity to existing infrastructure in and around Itahari, such as roads and power transmission lines, makes these areas more practical for large-scale solar projects. The ease of access and the ability to connect to the power grid are important considerations for solar PV installations. However, it's important to note that some areas of the Terai are used for agriculture, so careful planning would be necessary to balance solar energy development with food production needs. Areas that are less suitable for agriculture or are already designated for industrial use could be prioritized for solar PV projects. While the hilly regions to the north of Itahari might seem appealing due to their elevation, they present challenges for large-scale solar installations. The uneven terrain, potential shading from hills, and difficulties in access and infrastructure development make these areas less ideal for expansive solar farms.

Nepal solar PV Stats as a country

Nepal ranks 89th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 93 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 0.10% of Nepal's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 43rd in the world). Each year Nepal is generating 3 Watts from solar PV per capita (Nepal ranks 86th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Nepal?

Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Nepal. The Government of Nepal has implemented a number of policies and programs to promote the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include tax exemptions, subsidies, and other financial incentives for businesses that install solar systems. Additionally, the government has established a Renewable Energy Fund which provides grants to support research and development activities related to renewable energy technologies.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Nepal? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential

The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.

However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.

Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site

Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide

Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.